What we worked on today

7th Grade

 

Today we did a reading on Lunar Probes. 

 

The summary of the reading was:

 

NASA had 3 lunar probe missions that were sent prior to the Apollo landing to discover more about the moon.  In order to ensure a safe landing and return of our astronauts, we needed more information.

 

Ranger - first set of lunar probes

• took close-up pictures of the Moon
• there were 9 (1961-1965)
• only 7, 8 and 9 performed well
• they were designed to crash into the Moon

Surveyor - second set of lunar probes

• designed to land softly on the Moon to find out more information about its surface
• there were 7 (1966-1968)
• 5 were successful missions
• they used rockets to slow their landing down

Lunar Orbiter - third set of lunar probes

• orbited around the Moon to find a landing spot and photographed most of the Moon (100% of near side, 95% of far side)
• there were 5 (1966-1967)

For more information on Lunar Probes (including some of the pictures they sent back), click here.

 

7th Grade Extra Credit:  Use the site above to find out the answers to the following questions:
What was the name of the Lunar Mission from 2010?
Who sent it to the Moon?
What is its purpose?

 

Click under this post where it says "--- Comments".  Leave a comment with your answers.  Be sure to include your name.  Must post by 12pm on Friday November 3rd for it to count.  I will not publish answers until after that time so that you cannot copy answers. 

 

8th Grade

 

In HR 302 we are still working on our Earth History timelines.  By class Monday, all students should have theirs measured out and colored.  We will add events to the periods and eras on Monday.

 

If you are looking for more info or a project to do over the break, click here.

HR 300 has temporarily lost their labs.  We have had several incidences of poor behavior including reports from other teachers about their behavior in the hall, a food fight in yesterday's lunch period and Mrs. Jennings having to accompany them down to my room today because of the screaming in the staircase.  This, coupled with the complete disregard for directions or basic behavior rules on the timeline lab, have resulted in this loss.  I do apologize to the few students who are well behaved - but I know that they will learn no matter the extenuating circumstances and they are also fed up with the behavior of their classmates.

As a result, HR 300 answered the following questions in class today, which must be completed at home if they are not done:

1. What is a fossil?
2. What is the principle of uniformitarianism?
3. What is paleontology?
4. Explain index fossils (how they are formed, etc...1 paragraph).
5. What is the law of fossil succession?
6. How are index fossils helpful to geologists?
7. Explain natural radioactive decay.
8. How does natural radioactive decay help geologists?
9. Explain how carbon is helpful to geologists.
10. What is the half life of carbon?
11. Compare and contrast our current beliefs about rock formation and the beliefs that were held in the early 18th century.  Why do you think they are different?

 Here are some helpful links to answer the questions:

Index fossils

Law of Fossil Succession

Carbon-14 dating

Not an easy read, but here's info on radioactive decay.  If you find a better link, please post it in the comments, I cannot find an easy read.

 

8th Grade Extra Credit - open to both classes:

Here is an excellent activity to reinforce these principles.  Extra credit to anyone who produces proof that they completed it.  Proof can include:  written work or a note from a parent/grandparent/guardian. Due by Monday November 8th in class. 

 

To all students:  We are scheduled to take another benchmark on Tuesday. I have not received confrimation on that yet, but will let you know when I do.  Please be studying just in case!